CHARITABLE Rotarians were threatened with a £100 fine after launching an annual collection for needy children and war veterans.

The collectors opened the campaign in Lion Walk shopping centre on Wednesday.

But within hours, Colchester Council had received a complaint from a nearby shop because the club was using a large A-board, which are banned under and new town centre public spaces protection order.

It was being used to detail the causes set to be helped by the fundraising campaign.

Council bosses say it meant they were left with no choice but to threaten the Rotary Club of Colchester - backed by Colchester mayor Peter Chillingworth - with a £100 fine.

Kind shopping centre bosses have since provided collectors with small signs which have been inserted into plant pots which will be used by the remainder of the collection period, which ends on Sunday.

But rotary bosses expect this year’s collection to be significantly reduced as a result.

Ian McMeekan, a spokesman for the Rotary Club of Colchester, said: “I suppose it doesn’t surprise me to hear someone has complained.

“I know there are many shopkeepers who are not happy and one can see how it might stand to reason they could complain because there can’t be one rule for them and one for organisations such as ourselves.”

Mr McMeekan added: “All Rotarians have been concerned about the proliferation of A-boards in the town, especially on the many narrow pavements.

“However, it is ironic that the ban on our boards has been so zealously applied on what is the widest stretch of pavement in Colchester.” He added: “I think it is fair to say we were not happy. This is a collection for so many good causes.”

Each year, the money is used to take children with special needs to Colchester Zoo on Kids Out Day and to help fund Holidays for Heroes.

Mr McMeekan added: “It is likely that our collection will suffer, and we will be unable to provide the amount of support we would wish.”

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for public safety, said: “We were put in a very difficult position when we received the complaint, which actually asked if it was one rule for them and another for rotary clubs.

“We had no choice but to stick to the letter of the law unfortunately - we cannot be seen to have favourites. We did not want to do it but we had to.”